Robert Louie facts for kids
Robert Louie is a well-known leader, lawyer, and business person from the First Nations people in Canada. He is famous for helping to create the Westbank Self-Government Agreement. This important agreement gave his community, the Westbank First Nation, more power to manage their own land, language, and culture.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Robert Louie was born in 1959. He studied business at Okanagan College, getting a special certificate in 1975. Later, he went to the University of Victoria and earned a law degree in 1982.
His Work as a Leader
Robert Louie was the main leader, or Chief, of the Westbank First Nation for many years. He served as Chief from 1986 to 1996, and again from 2002 to 2016. In September 2022, he became Chief of the Westbank First Nation once more. He also worked with a group called the First Nations Summit, helping First Nations leaders work together.
His Businesses
Since 2014, Robert Louie has owned and run a group of businesses called Indigenous World. With his wife, Bernice, he started the Indigenous World Winery. Some of the wines from their winery have even won awards!
Helping Others
Robert Louie has spent a lot of time helping different groups and organizations. Since 1989, he has been the leader of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board. This board helps First Nations communities manage their lands. He has also been in charge of the Audit Committee of Peace Hills Trust since 2012.
He has also been a part of many other important groups, including:
- The board of the University of British Columbia (from 2006 to 2007)
- The National Aboriginal Economic Development Board (from 1996 to 1999)
- The First Nations Finance Authority (from 1995 to 1997)
- The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce (from 1986 to 1987)
Awards and Honours
Robert Louie has received many special awards for his hard work and leadership.
- In 2006, he was given the title of Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honours a Canadian can receive.
- In 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal.
- He was given an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Justice Institute of British Columbia in 2014.
- In 2016, he won the B.C. Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2022, he received the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award.
